Nasal dilator

ABSTRACT

A nasal dilator for dilating a first nasal passage and a second nasal passage of a nose, including an elastic element having a first end and a second end, the elastic element movable toward an expanded configuration wherein the length of the elastic element increases, and biases to a retracted configuration wherein the length of the elastic element is reduced. The nasal dilator further includes an adhesive carried proximate the first end for attaching the first end to an outer wall of the first nasal passage, and an adhesive carried proximate the second end for attaching the second end to an outer wall of the second nasal passage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to dilators.

More particularly, this invention relates to nasal dilators.

In a further and more specific aspect, the instant invention relates toa nasal dilator for maintaining one or more nasal passages of a nose ina dilated condition.

2. Prior Art

A portion of the human population has some malformation of the nasalpassages which makes breathing difficult. Examples of such malformationsare a deviated septum and swelling due to allergic reactions. The lowerportion of the nostril immediately above the entrance to the nostril isknown as a vestibule. The vestibule tapers inwardly to a narrowedneck-like area called the ostium internum. Above the ostium internum thenasal passages widen. Nasal obstructions commonly occur at the ostium inindividuals who have swelling due to allergic reactions, a deviatedseptum or similar condition. Commonly, the lateral wall at the ostium isloose with the result that the outer wall tissue draws in during theprocess of inhalation to substantially block the passage of air throughthe nasal passage.

Blockages of the nasal passages is obviously very frustrating. Inparticular, sustained mouth breathing over a long period of time maycause lung irritation due to the inhalation of foreign particles thatwould otherwise be filtered if the breath had been passed through thenose. Blockage of the nasal passages i s particularly uncomfortable atnight, since it is uncomfortable for many people who have such a problemto breathe through the mouth while asleep. Nasal blockage can lead tosleep disturbances and irregularities because those with such acondition may often wake during the night because of oxygen depletion.

The most common approach to a serious and chronic nasal blockage problemas described above is a surgical attempt to correct the malformation ofthe nasal passages. However, surgery is expensive and may not ultimatelycorrect the problem.

As an alternative to surgery, nasal dilators for aiding breathingthrough the nose have been devised. One such nasal dilator includesgenerally elongated top and bottom rings which are spaced apart andconnected together by a rear strut and a front strut. The front strut islonger than the rear strut and includes a bend therein formed at aposition close to the front end of the bottom ring. When in place in thenasal passage, the top ring fits in the ostium within the nostril toprevent the tissue from being drawn in during inhalation, and to reduceextra flow resistance during exhalation. The bottom ring fits above theentrance to the nostril and serves to stabilize the position of the topring within the nasal passage. One of these nasal dilators must beinserted into each nasal passage to provide unobstructed breathing.

However, these nasal dilators are not always effective because they areuncomfortable to wear and must be inserted within the nasal passageswhich can cause irritation and itching. In addition, these nasaldilators must be custom-made to fit each nasal passage of an individual.

Another known nasal dilator is comprised of a truss including a flexiblestrip of material having a first end region, a second end region and anintermediate segment. The first and second regions are adapted to engagethe outer wall tissue of first and second nasal passages of the nose.The intermediate segment is configured to traverse a portion of the noselocated between the first and second nasal passages. The truss memberfurther includes first and second resilient bands secured to the stripof material adjacent opposite edges of the intermediate segment. Thefirst and second resilient bands tend to return to their planar state.This motion acts to stabilize the outer wall tissue and thereby preventthe outer wall tissue of the first and second nasal passages fromdrawing in during breathing.

Although exemplary, this nasal dilator is difficult to construct,uncomfortable and unadjustable. It has been noticed that during use, thefirst end region and/or the second end region disengage the outer walltissue of the respective nasal passages requiring a user to repeatedlyengage either the first end region and/or the second end region with theouter wall tissue of the respective nasal passages for realizing thebenefits of this nasal dilator. It is evident that there is a continuingneed for improved nasal dilators.

It would be highly advantageous, therefore, to remedy the foregoing andother deficiencies inherent in the prior art.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a newand improved nasal dilator for preventing the outer wall tissue of nasalpassages of a nose from drawing in during breathing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a nasal dilatorthat is adjustable.

And another object of the present invention is to provide a nasaldilator that is easy to construct.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a nasaldilator that is easy to install.

Yet another object of the instant invention is to provide a nasaldilator that is comfortable.

Yet still another object of the instant invention is to provide a nasaldilator that does not disengage during normal wear.

And a further object of the invention is to provide a nasal dilator thatmay be used for dilating a selected nasal passage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, to achieve the desired objects of the instant invention inaccordance with a preferred embodiment thereof, provided is a nasaldilator for dilating a first nasal passage and a second nasal passage ofa nose. The nasal dilator includes an elastic element having a first endand a second end, the elastic element movable toward an expandedconfiguration wherein the length of the elastic element increases, andbiases to a retracted configuration wherein the length of the elasticelement is reduced. The nasal dilator further includes first engagementmeans carried proximate the first end for attaching the first end to anouter wall of the first nasal passage, and second engagement meanscarried proximate the second end for attaching the second end to anouter wall of the second nasal passage.

In a further aspect, the first engagement means and the secondengagement means each include an adhesive for attaching the first end tothe outer wall of the first nasal passage and attaching the second endto an outer wall of the second nasal passage.

In yet another aspect, the first engagement means and the secondengagement means each include a first dilating element coupled to thefirst end, the first dilating element carrying an adhesive forattachment to the outer wall of the first nasal passage and a seconddilating element coupled to the second end, the second dilating elementcarrying an adhesive for attachment to the outer wall of the secondnasal passage.

Another embodiment of a nasal dilator for dilating a nasal passage,includes a rim having an inner surface engagable to the outer surface ofthe nasal passage, an outer surface, and defining a central opening. Acover is fixed to the outer surface of the rim and traverses theopening. Biasing means moves the cover between a normal distendedorientation and a compressed orientation upon application of acompressive force, whereby the cover engages the outer wall of the nasalpassage in the compressed orientation, and upon release of thecompressive force the cover distends outwardly to the normal distendedorientation, whereby the cover exerts a pull on the outer wall therebymaintaining the nasal passage in a dilated condition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and further and more specific objects and advantages ofthe instant invention will become readily apparent to those skilled inthe art from the following detailed description of preferred embodimentsthereof taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a nasal dilator shown as it would appearworn by a user, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged upper perspective view of the nasal dilator ofFIG. 1, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3—3 of FIG. 2, in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged lower perspective view of a further embodiment ofa nasal dilator in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a dilating element comprised of a nasaldilator shown as it would appear worn by a user, in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the nasal dilator of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7—7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a dilating element comprised of a nasaldilator as it would appear worn by a user, in accordance with yetanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the nasal dilator of FIG. 8;and

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10—10 of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning now to the drawings, in which like reference characters indicatecorresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is firstdirected to FIG. 1 illustrating a perspective view of a nasal dilator 20shown as it would appear worn by a user 21, in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention. In a further aspect,nasal dilator 20 is shown as it would appear secured to a nose 22 ofuser 21.

With attention directed to FIG. 2, illustrated is an enlarged upperperspective view of nasal dilator 20 of FIG. 1. Nasal dilator 20 isgenerally comprised of a first dilating element 30, a second dilatingelement 31 and a bridge 32 interconnecting first dilating element 30 tosecond dilating element 31. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the width ofbridge 32 is less than the width of first dilating element 30 and seconddilating element 31, although this is not essential.

With continuing reference to FIG. 2 and additional reference to FIG. 3illustrating a sectional view taken along line 3—3 of FIG. 2, firstdilating element 30, preferably constructed of rubber, vinyl, cloth,soft plastic, or another selected material that is either substantiallyor somewhat pliant and resilient, has a substantially oval configurationand is generally comprised of a first layer 30A having an upper surface30B and a lower surface 30C, a second layer 30D having an upper surface30E and a lower surface 30F, an adhesive layer 30G adhesively couplinglower surface 30C of first layer 30A to upper surface 30E of secondlayer 30D, and an adhesive backing 42 carried by lower surface 30F.Adhesive backing 42 is shown as encompassing substantially all of lowersurface 30C, although this is not essential. Bridge 32 interconnectingfirst dilating element 30 and second dilating element 31 is generallycomprised of an elongate strip 50 preferably constructed of an elasticmaterial having a first end 51 and a second end 52. Bridge 32 movabletoward an expanded configuration wherein the length of elongate strip 50increases, and biases to a retracted configuration wherein the length ofelongate strip 50 is reduced. Due to the elasticity of elongate strip50, bridge 32 will return to the retracted configuration from theexpanded configuration. First end 51 of elongate strip 50 is sandwichedintermediate lower surface 30C of first layer 30A and upper surface 30Eof second layer 30D and adhesively retained therebetween by means ofadhesive layer 30G.

In like manner, second dilating element 31, preferably constructed ofrubber, vinyl, cloth, soft plastic, or another selected material that iseither substantially or somewhat pliant and resilient, has asubstantially oval configuration and is generally comprised of a firstlayer 31A having an upper surface 31B and a lower surface 31C, a secondlayer 31D having an upper surface 31E and a lower surface 31F, anadhesive layer 31G adhesively coupling lower surface 31C of first layer31A to upper surface 31E of second layer 31D, and an adhesive backing 47carried by lower surface 31F. Adhesive backing 47 is shown asencompassing substantially all of lower surface 31F, although this isnot essential. Second end 52 of elongate strip 50 is sandwichedintermediate lower surface 31C of first layer 31A and upper surface 31Eof second layer 31D and adhesively retained therebetween by means ofadhesive layer 31G.

With reference back to FIG. 1, nose 22 includes a first nasal passage 60having an outer wall 61, a second nasal passage 62 having an outer wall63 and a bridge 64 located between first nasal passage 60 and secondnasal passage 62. To secure nasal dilator 20 to nose 22, first dilatingelement 30 is placed upon outer wall 61 of first nasal passage 60 sothat adhesive backing 42, operative as an engagement means, engagesouter wall 61 thereby adhesively and detachably engaging first dilatingelement 30 to outer wall 61 of first nasal passage 60. Bridge 32 ismoved to the expanded configuration by pulling second dilating element31 away from first dilating element 30 toward second nasal passage 62with elongate strip 50 stretching therebetween as a result of theelastic nature of elongate strip 50. After pulling second dilatingelement 31 away from first dilating element 30 toward second nasalpassage 62, second dilating element 31 is placed upon outer wall 63 ofsecond nasal passage 62 so that adhesive backing 47, operative as anengagement means, engages outer wall 63 thereby adhesively anddetachably engaging second dilating element 31 to outer wall 63 ofsecond nasal passage 62. It will be understood that other methods ofapplying nasal dilator 20 can be used. For example, first dilatorelement 30 and second dilator element 31 can be grasped and pulledapart, stretching bridge 32 into the expanded configuration. Elements 31and 32 are then placed on outer walls 61 and 63 respectively, withbridge 32 extending therebetween, over bridge 64 of nose 22.

After first dilating element 30 and second dilating element 31 aresecured to first nasal passage 60 and second nasal passage 62,respectively, elongate strip 50 traverses bridge 64 of nose 22. Due tothe elastic nature of elongate strip 50, elongate strip 50 operates as abiasing means for urging first dilating element 30 and second dilatingelement 31 upwardly and inwardly toward one another in the directionsindicated by the arrowed lines A and B, respectively. As a result, outerwall 61 of first nasal passage 60 and outer wall 63 of second nasalpassage 62 are pulled, distended or urged outwardly in the directionsindicated by arrowed lines C and D, respectively, thereby placing firstnasal passage 60 and second nasal passage 62 in a dilated condition thusincreasing the volume of airflow passing therethrough as user 21breathes.

Nasal dilator 20 effectively inhibits outer wall 61 of first nasalpassage 60 and outer wall 63 of second nasal passage 62 from drawing induring breathing and maintains first nasal passage 60 and second nasalpassage 62 in a dilated condition. Although other similarly operativebiasing means may be used, elongate strip 50 constructed of an elasticmaterial allows a user to adjust the degree or strength of the biasimparted by elongate strip 50 by altering the distance by which firstdilating element 30 and second dilating element 31 are pulled apartduring installation.

In particular, the farther apart first dilating element 30 and seconddilating element 31 are pulled during installation, the degree of biasimparted by elongate strip 50 to pull first dilating element 30 andsecond dilating element 31 together increases thus increasing the degreeof pull on outer wall 61 and outer wall 63 of first nasal passage 60 andsecond nasal passage 62, thereby increasing the degree of dilation offirst nasal passage 60 and second nasal passage 62. Additionally, thedegree of pull imparted to outer wall 61 and outer wall 63 of firstnasal passage 60 and second nasal passage 62, respectively, decreases asthe distance between first dilating element 30 and second dilatingelement 31 decreases during installation. Furthermore, due to theelastic nature of elongate strip 50, nasal dilator 20 is selectivelyadjustable for installation upon noses having varying sizes and shapes.

It will be readily understood by those having ordinary skill thatalthough first dilating element 30 and second dilating element 31 havebeen disclosed as having a substantially oval shape, this is notessential and other shapes or configurations may be used. Additionally,with reference to FIG. 4, a nasal dilator 20′ may be formed as a singleunitary integral piece without departing from the nature and scope ofthe instant invention as herein disclosed. Specifically, dilator 20′ canbe formed entirely from an elastic element having opposing ends formingdilator members 30′ and 31′, and having an adhesive 42′ thereon forattachment to the nose and coupled by a bridge 32′.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 5 illustrating a perspective view of anasal dilator 70 shown as it would appear worn by user 21, in accordancewith another embodiment of the present invention. For the purposes ofdiscussion, nasal dilator 70 is shown as it would appear secured toouter wall 61 of first nasal passage 60, although this is not essentialand nasal dilator 70 may be secured to outer wall 63 of second nasalpassage 62 if desired.

With reference to FIG. 6 illustrating an enlarged perspective view ofnasal dilator 70 of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 illustrating a sectional viewtaken along line 7—7 of FIG. 6, nasal dilator 70 is generally comprisedof a rim 71 bounding an opening 74 and having an upper surface 72, alower surface 73 and an adhesive backing 73A carried by lower surface73. Adhesive backing 73A is shown substantially encompassing the entirearea of lower surface 73, although this is not essential. Rim 71 isformed generally in the shape of a triangle, although this is notessential and other shapes may be used. However, it will be readilyunderstood that rim 71 of nasal dilator 70 is generally sized forplacement upon the outer wall of a nasal passage of a selected user,such as outer wall 61 of first nasal passage 60, for reasons presentlyto appear.

Cover 75 is coupled to upper surface 72 of rim 71, traversing opening74A, as a separate element or as an integrally formed element. Cover 75,has a shape which is deformable from a first shape into a second shape.In this embodiment, the first shape generally resembles a dome and ismovable between a normal distended orientation as shown in FIG. 6, and acompressed orientation as shown in FIG. 5. To secure nasal dilator 70 toouter wall 61, rim 71 is placed upon outer wall 61 so that adhesivebacking 73A, operative as an engagement means, engages outer wall 61thereby being adhesively and detachably engaged to outer wall 61 withcover 75 present in the normal distended orientation. To dilate firstnasal passage 60, compressive force is applied to cover 75, such as witha finger, in the direction indicated by the arrowed E for urging cover75 inwardly for engaging adhesive backing 73B carried by cover 75 toouter wall 61. Upon release of the compressive force, cover 75 distendsoutwardly in the direction indicated by the arrowed line F to assume thenormal distended orientation. As cover 75 distends outwardly in thedirection indicated by the arrowed line F, outer wall 61 of first nasalpassage 60 adhesively and detachably engaged to cover 75 is pulled orurged in the same direction thus placing first nasal passage 60 in adilated condition thus increasing the volume of airflow passingtherethrough as the user breaths.

It will be readily understood by those having ordinary skill that a pairof nasal dilators 70 may be interconnected with a bridge, such as bridge32 discussed in combination with nasal dilator 20, if desired andconsistent with the teachings of nasal dilator 20.

Reference is now directed to FIG. 8, illustrating a perspective view ofa dilating element comprised of a nasal dilator 80 as it would appearworn by user 21, in accordance with yet another embodiment of thepresent invention. For the purposes of discussion, nasal dilator 80 isshown as it would appear secured to outer wall 61 of first nasal passage60, although this is not essential and nasal dilator 80 may be securedto outer wall 63 of second nasal passage 62 if desired.

With reference directed to FIG. 9 illustrating an enlarged perspectiveview of nasal dilator 80 of FIG. 8, and FIG. 10 illustrating a sectionalview taken along line 10—10 of FIG. 9, nasal dilator 80 is generallycomprised of a rim 81, preferably continuous, constructed of a selectedcompressible material, preferably foam, which will compress uponapplication of a compressive force and expand when the compressive forceis removed. Continuous rim 81 defines an opening 81A and includes anupper surface 82, a lower surface 83 and an adhesive backing 84 carriedby lower surface 83. Adhesive backing 83 is shown substantiallyencompassing the entire area of lower surface 82, although this is notessential. A cover 90 is also provided and carried by continuous rim 81,traversing opening 81A. Cover 90 includes an upper surface 91 and alower surface 92 portions of which toward an outer perimeter edge 93thereof being fixed to upper surface 82 of continuous rim 81 such thatcover 90 traverses opening 81A. Preferably constructed of plastic,rubber, or the like, cover 90 may be fixed to upper surface 82 ofcontinuous rim 81 by means of a conventional adhesive or other suitablecoupling means. As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, portions of lowersurface 92 of cover 90 traversing opening 81A carry an adhesive backing94. Although not essential, adhesive backing 94 substantiallyencompasses the entire area of lower surface 92 of cover 90 traversingopening 81A.

To secure nasal dilator 80 to outer wall 61, continuous rim 81 is placedupon outer wall 61 so that adhesive backing 84, operative as anengagement means, carried by lower surface 83 engages outer wall 61thereby adhesively and detachably engaging continuous rim 81 to outerwall 61. To dilate first nasal passage 60, compressive force may beapplied to cover 90 and continuous rim 81, such as with the fingers of ahand, in the direction indicated by the arrowed H for compressingcontinuous rim 81 constructed of the foam material and for urging lowersurface 92 of cover 90 inwardly for engaging adhesive backing 94 carriedby lower surface 92 of cover 90 to outer wall 61. Upon release of thecompressive force, the foam material of continuous rim 81 operates as abiasing means for expanding or decompressing and thereby distendingoutwardly in the direction indicated by the arrowed line I. Ascontinuous rim 81 distends outwardly in the direction indicated by thearrowed line I as continuous rim 81 distends, lower surface 92 of cover90 adhesively and detachably engaged to outer wall 61 of first nasalpassage 60 is carried outwardly by continuous rim 81 in the samedirection thereby pulling outer wall 61 outwardly placing first nasalpassage 60 in a dilated condition thus increasing the volume of airflowpassing therethrough as the user breaths.

It will be readily understood by those having ordinary skill that a pairnasal dilators 80 may be interconnected with a bridge, such as bridge 32discussed in combination with nasal dilator 20, if desired andconsistent with the teachings of nasal dilator 20.

Various changes and modifications to the embodiment herein chosen forpurposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art.To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart fromthe spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within thescope thereof which is assessed only by a fair interpretation of thefollowing claims.

Having fully described the invention in such clear and concise terms asto enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the same,the invention claimed is:
 1. A nasal dilator for dilating a first nasalpassage and a second nasal passage of a nose, comprising: a firstdilating element engagable to the outer wall of a first nasal passage; asecond dilating element engagable to the outer wall of a second nasalpassage; a bridge element traversing the nose and interconnecting thefirst dilating member and the second dilating member, the bridgeincludes an elastic element movable toward an expanded configurationwherein the length of the elastic element increases, and biases to aretracted configuration wherein the length of the elastic element isreduced.
 2. The nasal dilator of claim 1, wherein the first dilatingelement includes engagement means for detachably engaging the firstdilating element to an outer wall of the first nasal passage.
 3. Thenasal dilator of claim 1, wherein the second dilating element includesengagement means for detachably engaging the second dilating element toan outer wall of the second nasal passage.
 4. The nasal dilator of claim3, wherein said engagement means includes an adhesive backing.
 5. Thenasal dilator of claim 4, wherein said engagement means includes anadhesive backing.
 6. A nasal dilator for dilating a first nasal passageand a second nasal passage of a nose, comprising: an elastic elementhaving a first end and a second end, the elastic element movable towardan expanded configuration wherein the length of the elastic elementincreases, and biases to a retracted configuration wherein the length ofthe elastic element is reduced; first engagement means carried proximatethe first end for attaching the first end to an outer wall of the firstnasal passage; and second engagement means carried proximate the secondend for attaching the second end to an outer wall of the second nasalpassage.
 7. A nasal dilator as claimed in claim 6 wherein the firstengagement means and the second engagement means each include anadhesive for attaching the first end to the outer wall of the firstnasal passage and attaching the second end to an outer wall of thesecond nasal passage.
 8. A nasal dilator as claimed in claim 6 whereinthe first engagement means and the second engagement means each include:a first dilating element coupled to the first end, the first dilatingelement carrying an adhesive for attachment to the outer wall of thefirst nasal passage; a second dilating element coupled to the secondend, the second dilating element carrying an adhesive for attachment tothe outer wall of the second nasal passage.
 9. A nasal dilator asclaimed in claim 8 wherein the first dilating element and the seconddilating element are each formed of a pliant material.
 10. The nasaldilator of claim 6 wherein engagement means includes an adhesive forattaching first and second ends to outer walls of the first and secondnasal passages.
 11. The nasal dilator of claim 10 wherein saidengagement means is adhered to said elastic element.
 12. A nasal dilatorfor dilating a first nasal passage and a second nasal passage of auser's nose, the dilator comprising: an elastic element having a firstend and a second end, the elastic element stretchable toward an expandedconfiguration wherein the length of the elastic element is increased,and in which configuration the first end and the second end tend to bepulled toward one another so as to tend to reduce the increased length;and an engagement means on the elastic element for attaching the firstend and the second end thereof to outer walls of the first and secondnasal passages.
 13. The nasal dilator of claim 12 wherein saidengagement means is adhered to said elastic element.
 14. The dilator ofclaim 10 wherein said elastic element is reduced in length from saidincreased length in being adhered by said engagement means to outer walltissues of said first and second nasal passages.